Anyone insatll an autohelm on a steering quadrant?

Capt jgw · Jan 4, 2016

The below deck pilots are stronger, more durable, and out of the weather. But more expensive. I don't think removing the wheel with a wheel pilot is that big a deal. Just loop it over the pulleys. On a lot of boats they have to leave the belt on all the time as it's smaller than the wheel. If you're removing the wheel all the time anyway, that's no longer a problem and you only put the belt on when you need it.

Calif. Ted · Jan 4, 2016

When I remove the wheel with a wheel pilot I just have to unplug the power at the motor. Below deck pilots are nicer but more expensive, and harder to install.

smokey73 · Jan 4, 2016

Calif. Ted said:
When I remove the wheel with a wheel pilot I just have to unplug the power at the motor. Below deck pilots are nicer but more expensive, and harder to install.

Correct - at least for the Raymarine wheel autopilots, the motor unplugs and the wheel is then easily removed with the autopilot drive assembly (including motor) still attached to the wheel. Not a problem. I don't know the displacement on a Hunter 34 but the newer wheel pilots by Raymarine were not rated for a boat of my size (22,000 lbs). Check the raymarine site and they will tell you the displacement limits for the various autopilots. I am sure that is also correct for the other manufacturers. Don't let the "wheel drive" aspect with regard to removing the wheel. Its a matter of cost and how robust do you need it to be? Are you leisurely cruising, planning offshore sailing where sea state/following seas may challange a wheel pilot, etc. Those should be the determining factors, not the ability to remove the wheel.

Don Crowther · Jan 4, 2016

When I need to remove the wheel for ease of passage the a/p motor has a quick disconnect.
I have a raymarine ST4000 very old but still working. Sorry I don't have any pictures of the helm.

Ken13559 · Jan 4, 2016

I changed my steering wheel to the Lewmar folding type. Just fold it still with the Raymarine Wheel Drive attached to get more walking space.

zeehag · Jan 4, 2016

my otto pile it is a simrad mounted on quadrant, is electric assist hydraulic, uses minimal electricity and keeps a steady course. withstands a chubasco of 60 plus kts easily and i love it. is as good as another hand on deck.

Allan12210 · Jan 5, 2016

I have the Raymarine X5 on my H34 and remove the wheel all the time. As others have posted, the power simply unplugs right from the back of the motor. Granted a below deck system can handle more weather/wave action than ours. I find it necessary to hand steer as it gets overpowered pretty quickly.

Steverhnm · Jan 5, 2016

smokey73 said:
Correct - at least for the Raymarine wheel autopilots, the motor unplugs and the wheel is then easily removed with the autopilot drive assembly (including motor) still attached to the wheel. Not a problem. I don't know the displacement on a Hunter 34 but the newer wheel pilots by Raymarine were not rated for a boat of my size (22,000 lbs). Check the raymarine site and they will tell you the displacement limits for the various autopilots. I am sure that is also correct for the other manufacturers. Don't let the "wheel drive" aspect with regard to removing the wheel. Its a matter of cost and how robust do you need it to be? Are you leisurely cruising, planning offshore sailing where sea state/following seas may challange a wheel pilot, etc. Those should be the determining factors, not the ability to remove the wheel.

22,000 lbs for an H34? Really? You must keep a lot of Gin on board. My 1990 35.5 is 13,500, might want to recheck things...

Lander · Jan 5, 2016

On my 1993 Hunter 375 (16,400 displacement, closer to 18K actual) the new EV100 Ray Marine wheel pilot was not strong enough to manage the boat properly. I replaced it with a B&G HLD350 and I used the split version because the clearance is minimal on that boat, mounting the motor and pump in the adjacent locker. The ram itself was mounted to a custom SS arm that was attached to the top of the quadrant and thru bolted to the rudder post. The (Edson?) cast aluminum quadrant is not rated to take the load of an hydraulic ram, and Edson strongly advised against it. It is not the thing you want to fail when you need it.

smokey73 · Jan 5, 2016

Steverhnm said:
22,000 lbs for an H34? Really? You must keep a lot of Gin on board. My 1990 35.5 is 13,500, might want to recheck things...

No the 22,000 is for my boat - a Hunter 40.5 (see my pic and signature info). I said I don't know what a Hunter 34 is not that it was 22000. Because of my displacement I upgraded to an internal "rotary drive" that is a sprocket/chain drive inside the binnacle that drives the wheel shaft directly. The Hunter 40.5 was specifically designed for that drive and the mounting bracket was already factory installed inside the binnacle. It made the installation a snap. It eliminates the need for complex linear drive attachements or arrangements and I was leary of putting the linear drive on the cast rudder post quadrant too.

Steverhnm · Jan 5, 2016

Guess i was hoping for a fellow Gin n tonic drinker.... thanks for the clarification.

smokey73 · Jan 5, 2016

Steverhnm said:
Guess i was hoping for a fellow Gin n tonic drinker.... thanks for the clarification.

Not much into gin, mostly a Single Malt kind of guy.

Don Crowther · Jan 5, 2016

smokey73 said:
Not much into gin, mostly a Single Malt kind of guy.

now you are talking